Ch. 564
Released: 08/02/23
Translator: Ziru
Late at night. There were shadows sneaking into the park built by Rokuko, the wife of Golen's village chief.
"A magical tool that keeps springing water enough to create ponds and rivers… If we can get it, our country will be saved…!"
These were agents from a certain desert country who had happened to hear rumors about the park during its construction.
There was a similar magical tool in the neighboring village, Draco. However, it was being used for their livelihood, so for those who had deeply experienced the importance of water like them, it was hard to take it away.
Here, however, the tool was used to create the landscape of a park.
In that case, it would be better to utilize it effectively for human lives. They proposed this to their country and were able to get permission as long as they managed to not get caught, and, if they did, to never mention their relationship with their country.
The magical tool was quite large and heavy, the same as the one in Draco.
This meant that the object was at a level where it needed be put into [Storage] to transport.
This was their only chance to steal it, before the official opening.
"There's no one around… If we're going to sneak in, it's now…!"
He moved his own wolf ears and confirmed that there was no security or anyone else around.
Indeed, there were [No Humans] around.
There was a rustling sound of leaves shaking… The agents from the desert were slow to notice that the sound was unnatural—the trees were shaking without any wind.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"…!?"
Before they knew it, one of their companions had disappeared.
What had happened? Had they been spotted? He almost cried out, but held back. He had already prepared to die; if it had come to this, he had to rush forward even if it was a bit forceful.
Rustling leaves sounded out again. This time, he was able to find the cause.
"—-!? The trees are moving… T-Treants? Why are there Treants here…!"
The park's trees were moving and restraining his companions.
Treants were weak to fire. However, if the Treants were to burn, they would definitely stand out. Moreover, with abundant water available, the Treants could jump into the water and extinguish the fire at any time.
It was all too convenient!
That's when he realized. These were the park's security guards.
Golen's village chief had skillfully manipulated Golems to work in the inns and fields. Similarly, it wouldn't be strange for him to have tamed Treants to use for the park's security.
Or perhaps he hired such talents. If the village chief had connections to dispatch the Four Heavenly Kings of the Empire for his own security, it would be possible.
And then he was startled. The magical tool that produced water. It was installed under the largest tree in the park… This one too, no, could he even control a monster of that size…?
"So, the security was perfect, wasn't it…"
—The agents were wiped out.
"Well, today is finally the date between Wataru and Nerune! Let's be perfect onlookers."
"Indeed… Speaking of which, there were intruders in the park last night. There's a report from Rei. They managed to capture about five people alive."
The surveillance cameras and security guards, the Treants, and their boss, the Mega Treant known as the [Legendary Big Tree], were amusingly treated as Rei's subordinates alongside Eureka, the dungeon management fairy.
And just to get it out of the way, the [Legendary Big Tree] was also its named title. Rokuko did the naming.
"Oh? If there were intruders, they must be hung up by now and make a good decoration!"
"… What ornamentation. But it wouldn't be suitable for dating atmosphere."
"Well let's dispose of them then. They can be buried and become nourishment for the Treants."
"Hmm, wouldn't that fill the park with resentment? That's not good atmosphere dating either, let's not do it."
Rokuko struggled with the complex problem.
Wait a minute… But then again, there's a romantic atmosphere created by the sacrifices of office workers with city night views, so maybe there's a sort of romance in flowers blooming from the sacrifice of intruders too…?
No, that can't be right. That's thinking a bit too inhumanely.
"Hey, Keima, Rokuko. Could you give me those intruders?"
"Whoa! Leona, don't just appear out of nowhere, you surprised me!"
Don't stand behind me without any sound or presence! You'll take years off my life!
"Now, now. We're fellow onlookers today. It's good manners to erase your presence and be completely unnoticeable. If you can't do that, you'll have to watch through the dungeon function."
"… So, you want the intruders? What for, to use as alchemy materials?"
While hiding Rokuko behind me, I spoke with Leona. I wasn't exactly opposed to giving her our newly captured intruders as long as she didn't get too weird with them and paid well.
"They seem to be wolf beastkin from a desert country. Beastkin are kind of like my followers, so I thought I'd turn them into [Screaming Living Magic Tools, Continually Producing Water] and return them to their country. You get to punish thieves, they get to achieve their dearest wish. It's a win-win situation, right?"
"Hmm, that's pretty wicked."
Are you saying they're going to keep muttering '…kill…me…' in a half-living state? I really wouldn't want to use that kind of water.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"If you give me a [Skill Scroll to Create Skill Scrolls], I'll agree."
"That's too expensive. At most, a few magic skills, or one imperial-level skill, that's about it."
"You're obviously going to give me a bad reputation. It's a reasonable request for the trouble."
Upon saying that, Leona picked up a small stone and created a skill scroll.
"Alright, [Super Alchemy], [Super Alchemy], [Create Scroll: ######Wildcard]. Here you go, a skill scroll for [Create Scroll]."
"… Huh, you actually did it. Let me see."
Without channeling any magical power, I read the magic circle inside to check if it was genuine… Create, skill scroll… Huh? Low-level magic?
"It says low-level magic."
"Well, it's not like I could give you a skill that allows you to create anything freely. But even if you can only create low-level magic, it's definitely the [Skill Scroll Creation Skill] you asked for, right?"
Damn, she's right! I grimaced at her.
"Tsk, a promise is a promise. You can take the intruders."
"Hehe, thanks. I'll finish them up before Wataru and Nerune's date."
Saying so, Leona disappeared as soundlessly as she had appeared.
"We did it, Rokuko. The results are better than expected."
"Didn't you seem frustrated?"
"I was just acting, just acting. There's a lot to explore here. This is going to be productive!"
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be a magic skill, so it's probably not modifiable…
… But at the very least, I should be able to save on the cost of dungeon scroll drops!